Petrol theft is escalating across Birmingham, hitting local garages hard. Shailesh Parekh, who owns six petrol stations in Erdington, reveals the staggering impact theft has had on his business. Speaking to The Guardian, Parekh described the increasingly brazen nature of these crimes. “It could be anyone. Over the past three years, it’s gotten much worse. I even had a well-dressed man drive off in a Jaguar right in front of me—these thieves have no fear,” he said.
Last year alone, Parekh suffered losses exceeding £40,000 due to fuel theft. Predicting who might drive off without paying is becoming nearly impossible. “We don’t report half of the thefts—it’s too much hassle,” he added.
Despite his efforts to seek police intervention, Parekh’s frustration is clear. “I chased the police for 14 months, but they never arrested the man. Eventually, I gave up,” he recounted. West Midlands Police have stated they “won’t tolerate any type of theft” and are committed to identifying, detaining, and prosecuting offenders.
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The Labour Party government also condemned the thefts, insisting that perpetrators must “face the full force of the law.” Meanwhile, police forces claim to be taking proactive measures to combat the problem.
Data from Pay My Fuel highlights the troubling trend: the average number of weekly drive-offs per forecourt rose from 2.1 in March 2025 to 3.4 this March—an increase of nearly 62%. Additionally, the average value lost to each theft increased by 46% in the same period.
“Petrol stations aren’t just about fuel anymore. We have a range of services,” Parekh explained. “You can come at midnight and put £10 on the pump—we’re here to keep people moving.”
Now, at 62 years old, Parekh is questioning how much longer he can endure the ongoing struggle. “I’m beginning to wonder why I’m still doing this,” he confessed.